I got some so-called friends
They'll smile right to my face
Oh, when my back is turned
They'd like to bury me without a trace

Oh no, no, oh no no
There's only one thing I need to know
Whose side are you on?

I'm flyin' to JFK
My heart goes boom boom boom
I know that customs man
He's going to take me
To that little room

Oh no, no, oh no, no
There's only one thing I need to know
Whose side are you on?
Whose side are you on?

Paranoia blues
Down and out in New York City
Roll me for a nickel
Stick me for an extra dime

Anyway you choose
You're bound to lose in New York City
Oh, I just got out in the nick of time
I just got out in the nick of time

Oh, I'm loosenin' my tie
Takin' off my shoes
I know before I die
I got to shake these paranoia blues

Oh no, no, oh no, no
There's only one thing I need to know
Whose side are you on?
Whose side are you on?

Paranoia blues
Down and out in New York City
Roll me for a nickel
Stick me for the extra dime

Anyway you choose
You're bound to lose in New York City
Oh, I just got out in the nick of time (once more)
I just got out in the nick of time

When I'm goin' to Chinatown
I want some good Chow Fon
Oh, don't you bring me down
And don't you tell me that my Chow Fon's gone

Oh no, no, oh no, no
There's only one thing I need to know
Whose side are you on, whose side are you on?
Well, there's only one thing I need to know
Whose side are you on?

Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Writer(s): Paul Simon